Communications

Register to Vote - Virginia Deadline One Week from Today

October 10, 2016

To:

All University Students

From:

Katherine Brandon, Student Council Legislative Affairs Committee

My fellow students:

As you know, Election Day is in less than a month. For many of us, this is the first presidential election we have been eligible to vote in, giving us the incredible ability to shape the future of our country. If you are a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old, your rights and responsibilities under our self-governing democracy include voting.

In Virginia, the voter registration deadline is a week from today – October 17. If you are not registered to vote by 5 p.m. on October 17, you will not be permitted to vote in Virginia on Election Day. You can register to vote in Virginia on the Virginia Department of Elections website or complete a registration form in person on Grounds.

Additionally, if you are already registered, but have changed addresses since registering (e.g., moved from dorms to off-Grounds or on-Grounds housing, moved apartments), you must update your voter registration information. If you have changed addresses and have not updated your voter registration, you will not be permitted to vote on Election Day. You can do so on the Virginia Department of Elections website or complete a new registration form in person on Grounds.

Many students will be away from their home states in November. Instructions on registering to vote in every state are on the USA.gov website. Information about absentee and early voting is available here.

UVA has many organizations that will provide opportunities to discuss and debate the issues leading up to November 8. Information about polling locations, transportation to the polls, and voting also will be sent out by the University and student organizations. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of your country; I encourage you to take it.